". . . just try and resist the temptation. Don't watch him too much or even listen to his voice too much. He has a really sexy voice."
That my dearest mother was going to be hard to do.
Chapter 10
...
For the past two days I've been staying with Sasuke he's been acting more closed off than usual. It's not that he wasn't paying any attention to me or even talking to me but he just seemed occupied. Whenever we were talking, it was like he was hearing me but he wasn't really listening to me. Something seemed to be distracting him to a point where not even Naruto's persistent bickering could annoy him. Everyone noticed the quiet changes in him but said nothing, hoping that it was just one of his moody phases that he would eventually get over.
There were a couple of times where he would just lock himself for hours in a room which I guessed to be an office and I would hear him speaking in very low tones on the phone. I knew whatever it was wasn't my business but I was curious and couldn't help but wonder what was so important to keep him so busy. Yesterday, he left in the morning and said he probably wouldn't be back in a couple of hours. Those couple of hours turned out to be the whole day. He didn't return until late that night but I didn't question him because I could see he was stressed out and in no mood to talk. It appeared Sasuke sensed that I knew something was on his mind because he reassured me that he was fine and I didn't have to worry about him.
I strolled down the hall and into the living room where I threw myself on the couch and arranged myself comfortably. I picked up the remote, turned on the flat screen and flipped through the channels until I found one of my favorite game show 'Deal or no deal' playing. I could have watched television in my room because there was also a flat screen in it but something about the living room just drew me in. The soothing colors in which the walls were decorated made me calm and the sweet fragrance from the burning scented candles never failed to make me relax. I glanced behind me and strained slightly to see the office door down the hall that was still locked. No doubt whatever Sasuke was doing or whoever he was talking to must be very important.
I don't know when I fell asleep but I suddenly felt myself being lifted and my eyes fluttered opened to find Sasuke carrying me. I tried to move my head but my whole body felt sluggish and heavy from sleep and my throat felt too tied up for me to speak. Sasuke was looking down at me and I was so tired that I only managed to look at him for about three seconds before my eyelids closed and I fell back into a deep slumber.
…..
Turning slightly to my side I shifted my feet so that they fit more comfortably in my blanket and I gripped the pillow in my arms more tightly to my body. Although my mind was still hazy from sleep, a few alarm bells went off in my head when I subconsciously remembered that I had to get up for school. Almost immediately the bells in my mind faded as I remembered that it was a Saturday. Smiling in my drowsed state I threw my leg over the pillow by my foot and frowned when my leg hit something solid instead of soft.
Lazily opening my eyes I blinked rapidly so that they could adjust to the light pouring through the gap between the dark curtains - dark curtains? I looked up at the ceiling which I instantly noted was different from the one in my room and I looked down to see what my foot had hit earlier. My eyes widened and my head turned to my side in shock. I nearly choked on my own breath when my gaze clashed with Sasuke's wide awake and slightly amused one. His face was extremely close to mine and it was then I noticed that the pillow I thought I was hugging was actually Sasuke. Shirtless. His muscles lay smooth and defined under my small palms and I resisted the strong urge I had to run my fingers along them. I could only watch mortified as I saw how I had thrown my legs over his and literally wrapped myself around him.
I could feel a flaming heat running up from my neck to spread across my flushed face. Sasuke licked his lips slowly and I could only watch helplessly before I was suddenly on my back and Sasuke's mouth was devouring mine. I moved my hands from his chest and clung to his back as he lifted my waist from the bed and pulled me up into him. Did I mention he was shirtless?
A few moments later Sasuke pulled away from me so that we could catch our breath. Sasuke stared down at me as I panted erratically and blushed. Ino was going to catch a fit when I told her about this. I could already see her face sparkling with excitement as I said, 'I awoke in the morning wrapped around Sasuke who was half naked by the way. Oh yeah, he then threw me on my back and just totally tongued me off.' I certainly wouldn't mind to awake like this every morning. Especially if that guy in question was Sasuke Uchiha.
Sasuke pushed me back unto the bed and lied down at my side. He took up a few locks of my strawberry hair and twirled them around his finger, "Good morning." Oh my god. Was he sexy or what? Who would have thought that me, Sakura Haruno would be Sasuke Uchiha's girlfriend, in his home and lying with him in his bed. A dark part inside of me gloated. If only that witch Karin could see this. I was the one who awoke with Sasuke's strong muscled arms wrapped around me. I was the one who got his tongue shoved down my throat and most importantly I was the only girl he wanted.
The shy and vulnerable side of me which was currently showing sat up and looked around, "What am I doing in here?" Sasuke stared at me and for a while I though he wasn't going to answer.
"I brought you here last night. You fell asleep on the couch," Sasuke's fingers were trailing patterns on my waist and I swallowed. His fingers left a tingling sensation in their trail and I tried to suppress the building heat within me. "Why?" Even though I did fall asleep on the couch he could have simply just taken me to my room.
Sasuke smoothly sat up, grasped me from behind and pulled my back unto his chest. His long and slender fingers drew small circles on my tummy and I felt his light breath on the shell of my right ear. "I carried you to your room but you wouldn't let go of me. I clearly remember you saying, 'Sasuke, don't go' so I brought you to my room instead," Sasuke spoke lightly against my ear and I shivered involuntary.
"You're l lying," I sputtered in pure disbelief. I closed my eyes tightly and as hard as I tried to think back I only remembered Sasuke picking me up in his arms and then I fell asleep. Did I happen talk in my sleep?
"I usually hate people touching me but your touch was a bit. . .different. Do you know that you never once let me go since I brought you in my bed last night?"
I squeaked involuntarily and Sasuke smirked enjoying my reaction to everything he said, "You were pretty much wrapped all over me but I didn't mind." I groaned in utter humiliation and let my head fall back onto his chest. So not cool.
"You could have done something!" I snapped angry and in shame. I couldn't believe I did that even if I was asleep. It's like I have no control over my own body these days. Sasuke grasped my chin in his hands and turned my face to the side so I could see him.
"I did," he stuck out his tongue and licked my lips and his eyes glinted wickedly. "I helped you wrap yourself around me of course. Although your hands tend to roam when your sleeping."
"What? Oh my god," I could feel Sasuke smirking against the side of my lip. He pulled me even more into his chest and chuckled placing his hands on my thighs and started to gently massage them. I wouldn't admit it to him but it felt damn good. I pushed aside the thoughts I was having of what else Sasuke could accomplish with those hands to the situation I was currently facing. I could not believe this was happening. I blame my mother. Why did she do this to me? If she hadn't left me alone to stay with Sasuke I would never have had to endure this right now. How could she trust me? I don't deserve to be trusted. I don't even trust myself right now.
"Don't worry. I stopped them when they started getting a little too friendly with my southern friend," Sasuke grinned slyly when I hopped out of his grasp and stared at him with wide eyes. He had to be lying. There was no way he was telling the truth. He was probably just trying to scare me and by damn it was really working.
"Your joking," I said searching his eyes for the right answer, the truth. His face suddenly took on a more solemn look. As solemn as when he found me parading on the school premises without my top. "I wish, Sakura. I didn't sleep. I couldn't sleep."
Sasuke swung his legs over the edge of the bed and turned back slightly to look at me. I averted my gaze when he caught me staring at his beautifully muscled back and how they flexed when he moved. He looked at me meaningfully before he spoke. "At first I though you were doing it on purpose but then I saw that you were really asleep. I wouldn't do anything to you when you're asleep Sakura," Sasuke added the last part when he saw the suspicious look I sent him. I sighed in relief and also because I trusted him.
"I wanted too," My jaw slackened as Sasuke stood and ran his hands through his hair in a way I found to be endearing yet sexy. "Only God knows how much I wanted too," His voice was lower this time as he said this to himself but I heard. Sasuke padded to his bathroom and stood by the door for a slight moment then he spoke.
"Ino called earlier while you were sleeping. I swear that chick is a rooster calling so damn early when the sun isn't even up yet. She wants you to meet her and the girls at eleven at her favorite mall," Sasuke snorted. The way Ino squealed and screamed every time she went to a mall he would have guessed that every mall was her favorite mall. "She must have gotten my number from Naruto. The dobe always caves in under torture. I guess I'll have to change my number," Sasuke's voice faded as he disappeared in the bathroom and closed the door behind him. I stood staring back at the closed door for about a minute in thought and looked at the clock on the wall.
It read ten o'clock and I hurried out of Sasuke's room into mine, happy that I had something to distract me from my buzzing senses that seemed to always scatter and go frantic whenever I was in close proximity to him. At least by going out with the girls I didn't have to think about Sasuke and how he was starting to affect me both physically and mentally. I would just get one day to clear my thoughts and get my head on straight.
…...
"Give us the dirty details," Ino grabbed my shoulders and pushed me down onto the cushioned bench. So much for clearing my thoughts. I rolled my eyes at Ino and saw Tenten and Hinata looking at me sympathetically. I felt sorry for me too.
"Nothing happened," I lied. Ino scowled and raised a brow. I looked at her calmly while my insides were raging in turmoil wondering if she could see through my lie. Most likely she did.
"Liar! Sakura the good, nerdy girl and Sasuke the badass, hot-tempered boy living together under the same roof for three weeks. I find it hard to believe that nothing happened. Spill," Ino folded her arms across her chest and stared at me seriously. She snapped her head to the side, "Don't think I forgot about you Tenten." Ino grinned at Tenten's fallen expression and turned back to me. "It seems that something happened between her and Neji yesterday. She'll tell us right after you tell us what happened with you and Sasuke."
I looked at Tenten curiously and she shrugged. If I wanted to find out what happened between Tenten and Neji I'd have to spill what happened between me and Sasuke. So I did. Down to every last detail. After I finished telling my story to the girls Hinata was unsurprisingly beat red, Tenten was grinning and Ino looked about ready to tear her hair out of her scull.
"Hot damn," Ino hissed while licking her lips. "If only I could switch places with you for one day."
"Hmmm. That's Sakura's man your talking about Ino. What you need to do is patch things up with Shikamaru," Tenten reminded her and Hinata nodded in agreement. Ino sighed dramatically, "I know. Anyway Tenten let's hear it." Everyone at the whole table turned to the brown haired girl and she sighed irritably. "I can't believe this. . .do I have to?" She received the look from Ino and instantly started to tell her story. We all knew what that look meant. Trouble.
"Okay. So yesterday after I went by Hinata to drop off her jacket that I borrowed because someone didn't return mine," Tenten looked at Ino accusingly but Ino shrugged her off. "Tennie that jacket is cute. You knew I wouldn't return it." Tenten cleared her throat after glaring at the blonde, "Anyways. Hinata wasn't home so I left it with her sister, who unfortunately told Neji of my presence in the estate. That bastard had his security guards prevent me from leaving. They threw me over their shoulders like a rag doll and carried me to Neji's room."
Ino slapped her hands down on the table catching the attention of the other customers in the fast food joint. Even people outside the food section of the mall looked frightened and annoyed.
"Do you know what they said?" Tenten continued. "Sir Neji. Your delivery is here. Delivery! What the hell am I some kind of package?" Tenten threw her hands in the air and huffed in her seat angrily. "He had his evil minions kidnap me and he locked me in his room with him."
I couldn't contain my excitement. Neither could Ino and even Hinata looked eager to hear the rest. "Oh, tell us what happened!" I squealed and clapped my hands together. I leaned forward in my seat almost throwing over my chocolate smoothie. Tenten hesitated. Ino narrowed her eyes and folded her arms. "There's something your not telling us. Something very important."
Tenten swallowed and looked away before looking back her face serious. Me, Ino and Hinata exchanged glances. What was with the sudden change in her mood? Ino was right. There was something important she wasn't telling us.
"He told me that he loved me." My brows shot up in surprise. Hinata and Ino also looked amazed. I've never before questioned myself of the extent to which Neji's feelings were for Tenten. I started to notice that Neji had been insulting Tenten a lot more than usual but thought nothing off it. I was amazed when I accidentally overheard from Naruto and Kiba that Neji liked Tenten but not too surprised. In some kind of way I already knew that he was fond of Tenten and Tenten liked him ever since first grade although she didn't want to admit it.
"He said he wants to be with me. He said he'd do anything to be with me. . .he'd do anything for me," Tenten seemed faraway as she spoke. "I was so . . .I didn't know what to say. I was so. . .happy. He kissed me and then. . ." Tenten bit her lips and looked away from our shocked gazes. Ino gasped dramatically.
"You had sex with him didn't you?" Ino whispered slowly. Hinata blushed tomato red and nudged Ino. "S she didn't s say t t that!" The shy Hyuuga's eyes curiously searched Tenten's face for any sort of confirmation,
"She doesn't need to. I can see it in her face. I should have known from the moment I saw you. Your glowing," Ino flipped her hair over her shoulders and leaned forward on the table. I covered my eyes with my hand at Ino's forwardness. I couldn't believe-
"We did," Tenten's voice was so low that I almost had to strain to hear it. All eyes flew to the blushing girls own. Her eyes immediately lowered to gaze at the suddenly interesting straw on the table.
"How was he?" Ino leaned forward eagerly awaiting an answer. The blonde always loved to hear anything pertaining to that subject. As for me I didn't think it was good to pry into such private affairs.
"Ino!" I squeaked disapprovingly. "You can't just ask that."
"He was amazing!" Tenten's answer came immediately and spontaneously. "It hurt at first but. . .it felt out of this world. He made me feel so. . .I can't explain it," Tenten sighed dreamily. Ino grinned while me and Hinata exchanged shocked looks. This was really unexpected.
"Well we're all happy for you Tenten," Ino paused and blew a short breath out while reverting her gaze all around. "So how long was his-"
"Ino! No! No no no. Do not go there!" I pounced on her before she finished asking her obvious question. This time I was wholly serious. Ino pouted and grumbled under her breath but I only gave her a scolding look that my mother often gave me when I said or did something out of the way.
"I still can't believe you guys did it," Ino shook her head smiling. I shook my head exasperated at Ino. This was going to be her hot topic for basically the whole month. Poor Tenten was going to get interrogated until she would probably go crazy. Closing my eyes I smiled silently to myself, happy for Tenten. We all knew she had always been crushing hard on Neji but she always covered it up by insulting him whenever he insulted her.
The rest of the day went by smoothly with Ino occasionally asking Tenten questions which nearly made Tenten go crazy. We stayed out at a drink club laughing and telling each other stories until it was ten. It was all pure girls fun but Hinata said she'd have to leave because she was expected home and so was Ino so we all just called it a day and went home. I had to admit that I hadn't really sat down and just enjoyed talking with my girls in a long while so after doing so I felt completely refreshed and less stressed out.
I took a cab back to Sasuke's home and quietly let myself in with the spare key he gave to me earlier before I left. The whole house was dark so I guessed he was already asleep or maybe he was out. I carefully and quickly maneuvered myself down the hall and stopped short when I saw a dim light pouring out under the door leading to Sasuke's office. I padded silently to the door and raised my hands to rap. Biting my lips I slowly lowered my fists and contemplated whether or not I should disturb him. He seemed to be in a pretty closed off mood for the past couple days and I didn't want to further irritate him but I also wanted to know what was wrong. I just didn't feel right when I knew there was something not right with or about Sasuke.
Finally making my decision I once again raised my hands to knock but froze immediately when I heard Sasuke's voice. He was speaking low and he sounded pretty irate at whosoever he was speaking with. I put my ear to the door and heard Sasuke continue in a low steady tone, he was clearly trying to hold back his growing irritation.
". . .bullshit. Listen Homura, you and Koharu nearly drove our city to the dirt years ago with your twisted logics of what you think is best for Konoha or did you forget? I do not want you interfering in my life again for any reason whatsoever. You. Do. Not. Own. Me."
I furrowed my brows and held my breath. What was he talking about and more importantly why was he speaking to the Homura Mitokado. If I wasn't mistaken Homura was one of Konoha's state council. He served directly under the hokage, holding a high position that enabled him to even question if not interfere with their Hokage's decisions.
A humorless laugh came from behind the door.
"It seems that pervert Jiraiya has more sense than you. Duty as last Uchiha my ass- -need I remind you of your part in the whole extermination process? I have no obligations to you or this country."
A short pause took place and I was still holding my breath afraid to move. Was he referring to Jiraiya our Hokage? Extermination process? I wonder if he talking about the murder of his whole family. Sasuke's laugh was sadistically cruel and I momentarily shivered. Something was going on here. Something important and I felt like I was being left out in the shadows. Was Sasuke involved in some kind of dangerous situation with the government?
"You need me more than I need you. I refuse to claim my position at the top of the hierarchy under your ludicrous terms and unreasonable conditions. Remember this Homura, if I reject this arrangement I'll be fine but it's your ass that will be blamed and penalized for the downfall and corruption of Konoha."
My eyes widened and I licked my lips anxiously. Corruption? Downfall? What the hell is going on here? Sasuke had a position in . . .
"There is no one else eligible or substitutable for this rank. It has been rightfully mine since birth. Not you nor Koharu have the authority to go against the pact and if you even try any of your tricks and breach the contract the consequences will be severe. Think before you act. Your growing desperation is becoming unsightly."
I flinched at the malice in Sasuke's cool yet harsh tone. This must be the reason why he was acting so off. There was something very serious going on with him. I slowly backed away from the door when I heard him hang up the phone. I glanced down the hall to my room nervously wondering if he would be angry if he knew I was eavesdropping. If I questioned him he might just get more angry with but if I didn't question him I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about what I overheard.
My ears picked up on the sound of a chair scraping against the floor. With a speed and cat-like grace and agility I didn't know I possessed I raced to my room and closed the door ever so quietly behind me. I didn't even bother taking a shower even though I desperately wanted one so that I could relax and feel more refreshed. I crawled under my sheets and closed my eyes laying still.
It wasn't long when I heard light footsteps coming up the hall. I turned over unto my belly and feigned sleep. I felt like a coward because I wasn't able confront him. I just feared that if I got too deep in his private affairs he would somehow-let me go.
…..
I stayed up the whole night tossing and turning. The one-sided conversation was like a plague in my mind, continuously spreading until sleep was eventually impossible. Sasuke was hiding something from me I was certain. A few questions kept on ringing inside my head. What did he have to do with our country's council? Why was he speaking to Homura Mitokado as if he was some kind of enemy? What was he involved in? Whatever it was he didn't trust me enough to confide in me.
I stared down at the tempting dinner I made that was suddenly unappealing to me. Why doesn't Sasuke ever tell me anything? I felt like he was slowly distancing himself from me, as if I was in a relation ship with half of him and the other side was somewhere completely out of my reach. I pushed aside my plate and stood. I couldn't eat when I felt so miserable and useless.
I rubbed both sides of my head to relieve the slight headache that was threatening to bloom into a full pounding one. Looking on the wall the clock read nine. I haven't seen Sasuke for practically the whole day. He left early in the morning before I awoke and never returned since then. Now I was just here standing in the kitchen looking at the clock and waiting on Sasuke to arrive. My ears tuned in to the sound of the door opening and I rushed out into the living room to greet Sasuke. It seems like I didn't have to wait long.
"Sasuke," I smiled when I saw him step through the door, his figure was illuminated by the moonlight that was almost secluded by darkness. I was so happy to see him. His head snapped up from the floor at my voice and his eyes held a cold and distant look. I immediately recoiled. I fidgeted with my fingers as he kicked off his shoes, shruged off his blue jersey and shut the door behind him and locked it.
"Um Sasuke. . .are u busy? I was wondering-"
"Yes, I'm busy." Sasuke was already walking around me and I flinched at his harsh rejection. I turned around to and started to follow him down the hall.
"Sasuke! Wait, I just. . . I . . .you," I stuttered badly and almost lost my footing as I trailed after Sasuke's retreating figure desperately.
"What is it?" he snapped back at me, his eyes cold and harsh. I flinched and snapped my mouth shut. "If you don't have anything to tell me quit bothering me." He then turned around and went into his office slamming the door shut behind him. I stood staring at the empty spot where he last stood and swallowed the growing lump in my throat. I blinked rapidly to try and stop the tears that was now building up behind my eyelids. Turning slowly on my heels I slowly walked to my room. My body felt numb and my head felt heavy.
As soon as I went on my bed I curled up into a ball and cried silently. Crying seemed to be all I was good for. I waited so long for Sasuke to return and all he did was treat me like garbage. What the hell is wrong with him? What did I do to deserve his nasty temper being thrown at me? I sunk lower under my sheet, switched off the bedside lamp and rocked back and forth crying myself to sleep.
….
Oh my gosh! What the hell is taking these old folks so long? Does it really take twenty minutes to choose a damn bouquet?
I leaned forward expectantly when I saw one of the old women starting towards me with a bouquet of white lily flowers in hand. Imagine my distress when one of her companions called her back and suggest they choose another one instead. Really? This is why I don't like old people! They were all just so indecisive.
"Let us get the pink lily instead. It is much prettier don't you think?" The white haired lady slowly examined the pink flowers in hand before examining the white ones. . . again. The other woman approached the couple and they all came to an agreement to purchase the pink flowers. I sighed in contentment. I had to retrain myself from screaming at the elders when they all but paid me fifteen dollars in pure cents! It took them about ten minutes to add up the cash! Once they left I was so happy and I silently promised that I would never again volunteer to run the shop even if my mother was out at dinner with some close family friends. I sat back down and eyed outside the glass window. The sky was dark and scattered with stars and there was a fair amount of persons still on the streets moving from place to place.
I wonder what Sakura was doing now? Or Hinata? I know things must be going well between Tenten and her new boyfriend Neji. I grinned to myself. I still can't believe they did it. I never though that the Hyuuga was such a active- -
"G'night, Ms. Yamanaka."
I flew up from my seat to look at the entrance through the various flowers and plants on display. I knew that lazy voice anywhere. I slapped my hands on my face. Off all the nights when my mother was the one tending to the shop, why did he have to come on this one when she so happened to be absent?
A thought ticked in my head. What did he need flowers for and more importantly for whom? Shikamaru's lazy footsteps suddenly ceased when he saw me at the counter and he blinked slowly. My heart started to pound erratically and I inhaled deeply to calm my ecstatic nerves.
"Goodnight sir, how may I help you?" I chose to go the safe way and greet him the way all customers were addressed when they entered my mother's flower shop. He looked at me funny and I looked away almost guiltily. Maybe I was being too formal or seemed rude? After all that happened I did seem weird to just address him by 'sir' as if I've never met him before.
"I really dunno. My mom sent me here. . .she said something about dead guy and grave flowers. . . troublesome woman." Shikamaru looked around and sighed exasperatedly eyeing all the flowers in the room, he seemed absolutely clueless. I nodded and pointed to a section at the end of the room.
"Second row, top shelf."
He nodded and walked to the back. I gaped when he reached out and grabbed the first one available at arms length and promptly turned back. He didn't even look at the damn thing! I shook my head and smiled to myself. Only Shikamaru.
Placing the ring of flowers on the counter, Shikamaru paid me and I gave him back his change which he grudgingly took while mumbling something about 'extra baggage'. He glanced at me for a brief second before nodding his farewell and walking to the exit as if he had all the time in the world. I sighed inwardly at my cowardliness and a quick glance at the entrance had my heart rolling over in my chest.
"Shikamaru!" My eyes widened and my hand flew over my mouth which seemed to have a mind of its own. I quickly glanced back at the two boys which were currently coming through the door.
Kanji and Soulto lived a couple of blocks away from me with their grandparents. Their parents were well known travelers and never lived in one location for too long. They did visit their sons at least three times a year, on their birthdays and holidays though. Although I feel sorry for them I can't stand them. Every time they visited the flower shop they always had some lewd comments to offer and tried to get me to go somewhere with them to have what they called, 'A nice time'. As if I didn't know what that meant. All these actions took place when my mother was present at the shop so I really didn't want to find out what lengths they would go to now that I'm the only one present.
Shikamaru turned to me with a questioning look in his otherwise idle expression. His eyes darted at the entrance when he heard the door close and saw the two males come in. He returned his gaze to me and lazily raised a brow clearly questioning my reason for calling him. I fiddled with my fingers under the counter nervously.
My pride wouldn't allow me to ask him to stay with me until the two guys left. That would just make me seem like I was afraid or scared and I most definitely wasn't. I was just being cautious. There are a lot of maniacs out in the world nowadays and deep down I knew that as lazy and careless as Shikamaru seemed, he would defend me with his life if it ever came down to it.
I pleaded silently with my eyes and Shikamaru must have gotten the message because he moved further within the store and took a seat in one of the chairs by the window provided for the customers. He uncaringly dropped the ring of flowers on the seat to his left. I inwardly sigh with relief and sent him a thankful look. I couldn't believe he would help me out even after I was such a bitch to him.
"Well, what type of flowers should I pluck from these shelves today, Kanji?" Soulto, the slightly shorter yet better looking of the brothers questioned his companion purposely speaking loudly. He had his hands shoved in both pockets and was pretending to be observing the various plants in the shop. Kanji shrugged while acting bored but the grin pulling at the corner of his lips told me otherwise.
"Don't know. Maybe some yellow roses, orchids or wait how about some Ino's?" Kanji snapped his head to look at his brother as if he just came up with the best idea in the world. I scowled. Since when did I became a flower for their amusement?
"Man, I think you need a prescription for that one. I think it can only be found behind the counter," Soulto grinned and both buys confidently strode in my direction failing to notice the other young man slouched over in a chair trailing their every move with his drowsy yet fully aware gaze. I knew Shikamaru had a distaste for men who disrespected women in any way especially physically.
I found out about this side of him a couple years back when he rather rudely cursed our computer science teacher for laying his hands on a female member of staff in our school. To say everyone was shocked was an understatement. That incident happened to be the first time our class had heard any vulgar language from the usually respectable and quiet boy and since then no one dared to annoy him or try to agitate him in any way.
"Hey blondie!"
I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Soulto's loudly spoken greeting in my ear. "He he. . .I know I'm dreamy an all but try not to daze off too much you know?" Soulto propped his elbows upon the counter and his brother chuckled at his side. A disgusted snort came from Shikamaru's direction and both boys jumped in surprise when they saw the tall figure slouched over in a chair, his dark unreadable eyes pointedly directed in both boys direction.
"Whoa, I didn't know someone was there. He scared the shit out of me," Kanji flicked his eyes in Shikamaru's direction, eyeing him suspiciously as if trying to decide whether or not he was a threat. He never let his gaze stray from the seated figure and Shikamaru returned his gaze unflinchingly, with a look of plain boredom. Soulto, on the other hand decided to continue troubling me after clearly coming to a conclusion that the man seated by the window was harmless.
Shikamaru was not amused. That much was clear by the somewhat hostile yet indifferent expression displayed on his face, an expression which Kanji didn't fail to miss. How it was possible to be intimidating yet at the same time act like you don't care was something Ino was sure only Shikamaru could have pulled off.
"Soulto," Kanji nudged his brother to get his attention. "That guy over there don't seem too friendly bro." Kanji shrugged his shoulders uncomfortably while shifting his eyes to avoid Shikamaru's burning stare. "Yeah, um I'll be outside whenever you're ready to go," Kanji practically flew through the exit doors and I had to bite my lips to prevent the giggles that were threatening to erupt from my throat.
"Whose the guy over there?" Soulto leaned forward unto the counter and I dressed further back.
The sound of a chair scraping against the polished floor made us both jump slightly and turn to Shikamaru who was now standing and ever so slowly approaching us. The fact that his attire strangely consisted of all black except his inner green polo shirt and he also had earrings in his ears did not help in make him seem less threatening. I could see that Soulto was intimidated but he was doing a damn good job of hiding it.
"It's time for you to leave. The store's closed," Shikamaru's voice held a tone of finality that left no room for arguments. Checking my watch I saw that it was indeed a couple minutes passed closing time. The store closed at ten and it was currently seven pass. Soulta seemed to be playing the braver one of the brothers. He redirected his gaze at me, "Is he your man?"
"Get. Out." Shikamaru spoke almost menacingly. Soulta backed away from the Shikamaru with a very cautious look.
" I'll take that as a yes." He walked around Shikamaru and out the exit. His brother instantly pounced on him and looked back into the shop a few times as they took off down the street opposite of the direction they lived. I shook my head. They were probably going off to trouble Hakuna, the new girl that moved in the community a couple of days ago. Lucky for Soulta who was completely obvious, she was crushing on him hard.
I stared down at an interesting spot on the counter that was slightly more faded out than the rest of the counter area. "Thank you, Shikamaru." Man did I feel like crap. I treated him like the scum of the earth and he still treated me as he usually did.
"Yeah well, maybe if you increased the length of your skirt you wouldn't be constantly troubled by sexually excited males."
My jaw dropped open and I stood there and openly gaped at Shikamaru in shock. So much for treating me like he usually did. "And just what the hell is that suppose to mean, Nara?" The look in his eyes darkened considerably, almost mockingly.
"Exactly what it means, Yamanaka."
I folded my arms across my chest seething in anger, "My skirt is fine. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. I've seen way shorter."
Shikamaru placed his folded arms on the counter before him and leaned forward beckoning me to come closer with his finger. I regarding him suspiciously but did as he indicated. He looked straight into my eyes for a moment and then spoke, "You're wearing purple lace panties."
I snapped back in mortification and I knew my eyes were probably the size of saucers. I could feel my cheeks heating up as I watched him watching my reaction. How did he know that? I never came from behind the counter even once!
"I wasn't even trying to look. That's how short your skirt is. It's really annoying and I'm sure it's on the scale of indecent exposure. It's probably even illegal." I blinked at Shikamaru's serious expression. I cannot believe he was lecturing me on skirts! Much to my humiliation he was dead serious. That just made my cheeks heat up all the more.
"Sometimes I think you do it on purpose. You like the attention don't you?" Shikamaru held my gaze and I was too shocked to even look away. How dare he even imply such a thing-even though it was sort of true but that still didn't make him suggesting it right. I arrogantly tossed my head and pushed my ponytail back over my shoulder.
"So what? I caught your attention didn't I?" I blinked slowly as a almost sneering grin planted itself on my face. I folded my arms snugly over my chest as I saw the surprise slowly taking over his features. He didn't expect that did he? He then slowly stood up from his slouching stance to his full height. Sometimes I forgot how tall he was because he was constantly slouching.
"Yes. . .and you still have it." I yelped in surprise when he grabbed my folded arms, pulled my upper body over the counter and crushed his lips down onto mine. I was so shocked that I just stood there with my eyes open and my mouth slightly agape against his own. He immediately took advantage of my shocked state and thrust his tongue in my mouth. I felt him leading my body to move sideways and I followed his guide unknowingly completely absorbed in his kiss.
A couple of seconds later I found myself molded tightly between the front of the counter and Shikamaru's toned body. There was absolutely nothing lazy about the kiss he was currently engaging me in. I never actually thought that Shikamaru would be a kind of guy to dominate. I groaned and pressed myself more tightly against his body and this earned me a low growl of satisfaction. I felt his hands on my waist and he suddenly hoisted me up on the counter so that I was towering just a little over him. He broke off the kiss and I panted harshly while taking in some much needed oxygen. I head yet to fully recover before he pulled me back into another passionate kiss.
Imagine my frustration and anger when the phone suddenly rang. We both pulled away and I leaned over the counter to grab the phone quickly leaning back over when I realized I flashed Shikamaru another look at my underwear. My face heated up when I saw his gaze slowly travel from my skirt and up to my face, a hint of a smirk on his features.
"Hey, m mom. Y yes, I'm gonna-" I gasped disapprovingly when the phone was suddenly yanked out of my hands and slammed back down on its base. I didn't even get a chance to scream at him for hanging up on my mother for he had already pulled me back into another kiss. My protests died down as I melted into his arms and reveled in the feel of his soft yet controlling lips against mine.
I just knew this was gonna be the start of something special.
Author's Note: First of all I would like to apologize to all my readers for the extremely late release of this chapter. College is literally chewing my ass up and spitting out more work for me to do. Not only that but I find myself having to constantly help my brother and my cousin with their school assignment etc. Every piece of spare time I got I found myself to tired out to even attempt at writing this chapter. Lord knows what kind of bull-crap I would have rushed off. I cannot promise you the other chapter will be released right away but I will promise you that I will release it. I will try and get it done in this month. I actually found myself with a break yesterday and I took it to write this chapter. It would have been posted yesterday but I unfortunately fell asleep on my laptop after I checked over for grammatical errors. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and if anyone has any questions or such feel free to PM me.